Few USB-based data acquisition instruments on the market today provide real galvanic isolation of the input signals. Isolation is essential to protecting the test engineer and equipment from the effects of ground loops and high common mode voltages.

Most of the new crop of USB boxes emphasize low cost and convenience, according to Dewetron, but they achieve this by skipping real signal conditioning for serious data acquisition applications.

The DEWE-50-USB2-8 from Dewetron incorporates real plug-in signal conditioning modules for low and high voltages, strain, pressure, acceleration, sound, temperature, force, and more.
The DAQP-HV high voltage module, for example, has selectable input ranges from ±20V to ±1400V (AC or DC), has a bandwidth of 300 kHz, and real galvanic isolation of 1800 Vrms. Therefore it can be used in demanding high voltage environments safely, says Dewetron, and with excellent performance.

The DEWE-50-USB2-8 has a powerful digitizer inside which features eight separate 24-bit ADCs - one per analog channel, for simultaneous sampling of all channels with very high resolution on the vertical axis. 24- bit resolution provides the test engineer with a high dynamic range that so that a single gain setting can be used for a widely varying signals while retaining excellent resolution recordings.

Any combination of 8 DAQP series plugin modules plug into the front of the small DEWE-50-USB2-8 box, while the rear panel provides several more inputs:

• Two synchronous counter inputs, which can handle a wide variety of encoders and tachometers

• Each counter can alternatively be used as three digital inputs, for recording multiple bi-state TTL “event” inputs

• Two high speed CAN BUS interfaces, so that you can connect up to the data buses in all kinds of cars, trucks, aircraft, trains, and more. Everything is recorded synchronously to a single data file within DEWESoft.

The rear panel also contains the DC power input connector, because the system
runs from 10-30 VDC directly (AC/DC adapter and line cord is included).

There is also a locking USB connector, of Dewetron’s own design, so that it cannot be
pulled out of the chassis by accident. Conditioned analog outputs from the
inputs are also available as an option, so the user can access ±5 V outputs from each of them.

The USB DAQ can be used in power plants, for flight tests, train testing, automotive testing, factory troubleshooting and other applications.

Dewetron